Posted on 03/30/2006 9:26:20 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Lower house OKs bill to fingerprint, photograph foreigners
Thursday, March 30, 2006 at 14:37 EST
TOKYO — The House of Representatives on Thursday approved by a majority vote a bill revising the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law to fingerprint and photograph all foreign visitors as part of its campaign to fight terrorism. The legislation will be sent to the House of Councillors and is expected to be enacted during the current Diet session due to end June 19.
The bill stipulates that foreigners entering Japan must present personal identification data in electromagnetic format, such as fingerprints, photographs and other items as defined by ordinances issued by the Justice Ministry. The measure excludes ethnic Koreans and other permanent residents with special status, those under 16, those visiting Japan for diplomatic or official purposes, and those invited by the state.
What a great idea.
When do we start ?
LOL... everytime I cross the border back into the USA I give the border guard the same kind of ID, it's my green card...
October 2004. The State Department began (on a rolling basis worldwide) requiring photogrpahs and fingerprints for visa applications on that date.
True but it has been delays or stopped for incoming - if you want a passport to leave, you are still required to.. Passports were to be required for travel to Mexico in 2006 however, this has been delayed until 2007.
Good news.
I don't know what you're talking about. I have direct knowledge of the visa application process, and every day, there are photograph and fingerprint checks happening.
Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
We should be so smart..........
Do the Japanese use a pinky fingerprint to keep out the Yakuza? ;)
Doesn't do anything to solve the problem of Japan's domestic terrorism plots (like the Sarin gas attack in the subway).
Not that I oppose keeping tabs on those visiting.
It makes no sense in America because the hijackers overstayed their visas yet nothing was done to locate and evict them. What's the point in keeping good records if you aren't going to prosecute?
They'd be smart to take a print of the toes as well. Some criminals graft a toe on to fill out the pinky later.
If I read it right, it now applies to all visitors, who perhaps can satisfy the requirement through their passport.
I'll be interested to hear what some on the Ping List in Japan have to say when they wake up (literally, not figuratively) and read this.
All of my Alien Registration Cards in Japan, except for the very last one I got, had my pinky fingerprint on it.
Abolishing the fingerprint requirement for gaijin in Japan back in the 90s was on of the Japanese liberal's few victories in their attempt to make Japan more politically correct.
It's interesting to me that they are so quiet about the return of this requirement.
I suspect that they have decided that being terrorist-free and a little un-PC beats the possibility of terrorists in your country.
There is also the problem of oridnary crime by foreigners, mainly Chinese gangsters and assorted groups of Turks, Iranians and Africans -- which seems to be on the rise.
Currently, when the cops start getting close to catching them, they crooks hop on a plane back to their home country, buy a new passport in a different name, and come right back to Japan.
This will put a stop that revolving door
My last one had my pinky print on it. Guess I left before they changed that rule. I didn't really care as it's their country and I should have to play by their rules to be there - or go home.
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